UNAMI Newsletter United Nations Assistance Mission for

Newsletter - Issue 13 June 2011

IN THIS ISSUE UN’s top political o"cial, Lynn Pascoe, visits Iraq

!"R$%&'(%(')*&*+,)%'-[+*,)/%0122%3,$+'4/% visits Iraq ...... 1 56(7'8*29%:;6,2%7*9:&$%*2%(7*$'2%,2<%<4 - &42&*'2%-,+*)*&*4$%*2%=,$7,%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%? @*+&*6$%'-%&'7&;74%'2%(,&:%&'%$'+*,)%74*2&4 - 97,&*'2%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%A 57,B*%9'8472642&%&')<%&'%(7'&4+&%*&$%+*8*) - *,2$%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%A C4(;&1%DEDF%G+",H%),;2+:4$%57,B%C4 - 84)'(642&%G,2,94642&%D1$&46%>>>>>>>>>>>%I =;*)<*29%&:4%!2*847$*&1%'-%&:4%J;&;74%*2% 57,B%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%I E4-;944$%*2%57,B%+,6(%&'%9,*2%6'74%$47 - 8*+4$/%7*9:&$%,-&47%749*$&7,&*'2%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%K !"LME%+4)4H7,&4$%N'7)<%E4-;944%C,1>%O N:'%C'4$%N:,&%N:474%E4('7&%>>>>>>>>>>>>>%P 57,B*%<'+&'7$/%5QG%(,7&247%&'%(7'8*<4%,$ - $*$&,2+4%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%P 37';<%'R247%'-%$R44&$%$:'(%,2<%),2< - 6*24%$;78*8'7%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%S "4R$%=7*4-$%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%T 0*$&%'-%!"%,+7'216$%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%T Mr. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under Secretary-General for Political A#airs, meets Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki in the presence of the Head of UNAMI, SRSG Ad Melkert. The meeting took place on 12 June 2011 in Baghdad . Photo: Zaid Fahmi/UNICEF Iraq 3:'&'%U$$,1V%52%$4,7+:%'-%,%$:4)&47%*2%U7 - H*)%>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>%WX he UN’s top political of- of Interior Karim Sinjari. "cial and head of the “It is our duty to help, but solutions to Iraqi prob- United Nations Depart- T lems and challenges have to be home grown ment of Political A#airs , Un- I hope that with this new ones. They have to be Iraqi solutions and for der-Secretary General Lynn tool (The Iraq Development them to succeed in the long-term, they have to Pascoe, visited Iraq from 11 to Management System), which has be sought in an inclusive manner, encompassing 14 June 2011. the capacity to provide a com - plete picture of all developmen- During his visit, Mr. Pascoe held meetings with top Iraqi tal projects in Iraq, we will all be o$cials in Baghdad, encouraged to ful"ll our informa - and , including Iraqi tion sharing obligations to Prime Minister Nouri Al-Mali- Iraq. ki; Council of Representatives Speaker Osama Nujei"; Kirkuk Ms. Christine McNab, Governor Najm Edin Karim; Deputy Special Representative of Kirkuk Provincial Council the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Chairman Hassan Turan; and, Kurdistan Regional Govern- Mr. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under Secretary-General for Political A#airs, meets Mr. ment’s Prime Minister, Dr. Nejmedin Karim, Governor of Kirkuk on 13 June 2011, in Kirkuk. Photo: Waseem Barham Saleh, and Minister Wastin/UNAMI PIO the full array of Iraqi ethnic, provide further assistance religious and political diver- to help Iraqi stakeholders sity, and including civil so- identify mutually agreeable ciety, youth and women as solutions to pending issues full-%edged partners,” USG related to the internally dis- Pascoe emphasized at the puted boundary areas. end of his visit to Iraq. He also stressed the com- Throughout his meetings, mitment of the UN Country Mr. Pascoe reiterated the Team to assist Iraq and its commitment of the United people by providing techni- Nations to continue assist- cal advice and expertise, de- ing Iraq and explored with veloping joint projects, and his interlocutors how the UN addressing human rights, could focus its e#orts to bet- humanitarian and develop- Mr. Lynn Pascoe, UN Under Secretary-General for Political A#airs, meets the Interior Minister for Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Kareem Sinjari on 13 June 2011, in Erbil. Photo: Salar ter respond to the needs of ment challenges, in particu- Brifkani/UNAMI PIO the people. He emphasized lar in the area of basic ser- the readiness of UNAMI to vices delivery.

Human Rights

Improving human rights in prison and detention facilities in

By Martin Bohnstedt, UNAMI Human Rights O"ce

uman rights violations in pris- sioner of Human Rights, UNAMI’s Hu- socially disadvantaged detainees. ons and detention facilities in man Rights O$ce organized a work- Participants expressed their hopes Basra and major cities across shop on 29 and 30 June in Basra. The H that such trainings could also be Iraq are a reality. Incidents of tor- event bene"ted 21 locally-based provided to judges and representa- ture and mistreatment of detainees o$cials from the Ministry of Interior tives of civil society who have crucial and inmates have been reported in (police) and the Ministry of Justice, roles to play in upholding the human a number of these centers. In many focusing on human rights in prison rights of prisoners and detainees in cases, people were arrested, some- and detention facilities. the country. times charged with o#ences, and The workshop was conducted by an According to its mandate aimed at held without trial. To make matters Iraqi human rights expert who intro- worse, they are often detained in promoting the protection of human duced the participants to both Iraqi rights in Iraq, UNAMI has maintained con"nes that are overcrowded, unhy- and international human rights insti- gienic and lacking basic facilities. a Human Rights O$ce in Basra since tutions and standards safeguarding 2005. The O$ce monitors the human In an e#ort to improve the situation human rights. He also introduced rights situation, engages with inter- of human rights in these centers, the human rights of prisoners and locutors in the government and civil Iraqi counterparts in the provincial detainees, stressing non-derogable society, and undertakes visits to vari- branches of the Ministry of Interior rights such as the absolute prohibi- ous rule of law institutions, particu- and the Ministry of Justice, that have tion of torture. larly prisons. custody over scores of civilian de- The training used thought-provoking tainees and prisoners, requested the As the security situation increasingly video clips and role-plays that kept improves in Basra, the mission’s Hu- assistance of UNAMI’s Human Rights the participants engaged during O$ce. man Rights O$ce has begun to fo- their "rst exposure to human rights cus on institution-building, fostering With "nancial support from the Gov- issues in their working environment. human rights awareness through ernment of the United Kingdom, It concluded with a session on how dialogue, and on addressing human through the O$ce of High Commis- to interact with female, juvenile and rights violations.

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 2 Human Rights Victims of torture on path to social reintegration

By Dina Baslan and Caroline Hammarberg, UNOPS ketable skills through vocational trainings. Counseling sessions are not limited to the victims themselves, but are also extended to their family members. Relatives of torture victims often su#er from secondary trauma and are sometimes exposed to domestic abuse and violence as a result of the long- lasting e#ect of trauma on the victims. “The act of torture cannot be reversed, but we can still prevent the after-e#ects of torture which can be detrimental to family members who are also considered victims of such unjust practices,” Mr. Hussein ex- plains. The EU-UNOPS project makes the provision of these services possible through "nancial support to the centres, which covers the cost of rent, medication and equipment for physical therapy, amongst other things. The project also provides sta# with continuous A sta# member presents the work of the outreach team which provides services to victims of torture in nearby provinces. advanced training in treatment methods as Photo: Bahjat Al Fouad Rehabilitation Centre well as management skills and fundraising, s the world and Iraq marked the In- attention to help them overcome traumatic to help sustain their activities beyond the ternational Day in Support of Victims experiences. “We cannot a#ord to aban- duration of the current support. Aof Torture on 26 June, the Bahjat Al don victims of torture and violence in this As occurrences of ill-treatment and abuse Fouad Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Vic- society,” says Abdul Nasser Hussein, the Di- continue to be reported across Iraq, the tims (BFRCT) in Basrah held its annual semi- rector of BFRCT. “As a community we must project assists a limited number of people, nar to raise awareness on the impact of vio- rise above the e#ect of emotional scars and but for the patients that receive help, the lence on victims and the society as a whole. move in the direction of rehabilitation and services are precious. The BFRCT is one of two Iraqi rehabilitation reintegration.” “Honestly I feel that the centre has changed centres supported by the “Programme for Medical experts treat patients’ ailments the path of my life,” says a bene"ciary who the Protection of Detainees and Torture Vic- through physical therapy and medications has been attending the centre’s psychother- tims,” a European Union project implement- and psychotherapists organize counseling apeutic sessions for 14 months. “Now I feel ed by the United Nations O$ce for Project sessions aimed at addressing suppressed that my worries and sorrow are starting to Services (UNOPS). traumatic memories. The centre functions fade away.” Since 2008, over 4,000 victims have ap- as a support system, boosting their clients’ For more information, please contact Ms. Ailsa proached the two centres for professional con"dence levels and improving their mar- Jones: [email protected] or +962 6 5902134

Interview Iraqi government told to protect its civilians Iraq is being urged to take stronger action when it comes to protecting civilians from violence. Ivan Šimonovic, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights says 4,000 people are still dying each year in the country as it struggles to rebuild. It was eight years ago that a coalition of countries invaded Iraq and toppled its former leader, Ivan Šimonovic Saddam Hussein. Julie Walker spoke with Assistant Secre- A medical consultant at Bahjat Al Fouad Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims tary-General Šimonovic about his recent 10 day trip to Iraq. speaks to local media during an advocacy event to mark the International Day in sup- port of torture victims. Photo: Bahjat Al Fouad Rehabilitation Centre Duration of Interview : 5’12

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 3 Development Deputy SRSG McNab launches Iraq Development Management System

he Iraq Development Manage- Donors will also use the system and ment System (IMDS), an instru- update their information as often as Tment designed to signi"cantly possible. “I hope that with this new improve Iraq’s tracking of external tool, which has the capacity to pro- assistance and capital investment vide a complete picture of all devel- projects, was launched on 16 June opmental projects in Iraq, we will all 2011. be encouraged to ful"ll our informa- tion sharing obligations to Iraq,” said In a ceremony attended by Iraqi the DSRG. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, Min- ister for Planning Al Shukri and other The UN will continue to support distinguished guests, the UN’s Dep- the Government of Iraq in its insti- uty Special Representative of the tutional aid management arrange- Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq, ment and is currently supporting the Ms. Christine McNab, noted that Prime Minister’s O$ce and the Min- the measure was a signi"cant step istry of Planning in de"ning new aid forward in the developmental e#ec- management mechanisms, policies, tiveness of the country. workplans, protocols and structures. As a partner, the UN can only advise, Deputy Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General for Iraq, The IDMS, largely funded by the EU, guide and suggest; the rest will be in Ms. Christine McNab. Photo: UNAMI/PIO Spain and USAID, came about just the hands of the Government. over one year ago when UNDP and the Tatweer project were converging Ms. McNab also noted that the UN and the national part of the survey is ongoing. towards the same agenda: support- is supporting Iraq’s participation to The envoy "nished her address by expressing her ing the Government of Iraq in better the 2010 Paris Declaration Survey “desire to hear the IDMS entering into our common planning, managing and monitoring and has submitted its contributions language in Iraq and [… ] the progress of its im- of its entire capital investment proj- to the National Aid Coordinator. Fur- plementation across all levels of Government and ect portfolio, be it from the national ther UN support on completing the across the donor community.” budget or from external aid. international partners’ contributions

Education Building the University of the Future in Iraq

By Semia Saadaoui, UNESCO Iraq

o enhance the quality of higher education in Iraq, the UNESCO Iraq O$ce, in partnership with the O$ce of H.H TSheikha Moza bint Nasser, First Lady of Qatar, hosted the fourth in a series of workshops aimed at developing and ex- panding the Avicenna Virtual Campus for Iraq (AVCI). The Campus will serve as an e-learning knowledge network with partner universities throughout the Mediterranean re- gion, using information and communication technologies to help educate students and build international linkages among the institutions, sharing best practices, research and resources. The event held in Jordan from 21 to 22 June, 2011, brought together four e-learning international experts from France, and Germany and a team of 18 Iraqis from nine uni- Director of UNESCO Iraq signs a memorandum of understanding with the head of Philadelphia versities, to build a vision for a university of the future in Iraq. University in Jordan. Photo: UNESCO Iraq www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 4 Education

the project in 2013. The event was also an opportunity for Mr. Mohamed Djelid, Director of UNESCO Iraq, to unveil the Virtual Portal of Avi- cenna Virtual Campus of Iraq in the presence of key o$cials from both Ministries of Higher Education and Scienti"c Re- search of Baghdad and Kurdistan. The Portal is the end-users interface encompassing the technical platform, the Virtual Library, the Avicenna Qual- ity Assurance System. The Iraqi e-learning team will be in- tensively producing online courses for the two upcoming months for submission to the Avicenna Scienti"c Board for accreditation. The accredited courses will then be upload- ed in the portal for practical use by Iraqi students. In addition to this meeting, the UNESCO Iraq O$ce also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Philadel- Participants in the Avicenna Virtual Campus Technical workshop, held in Philadelphia University in phia University to support the O$ce’s e#orts in expanding Jordan on 21-22 June 2011. Photo: UNESCO Iraq the Campus in Iraq, thereby facilitating linkages with the Hosted by Philadelphia Univer- ers, technical and pedagogical Mediterranean Avicenna Network and transferring exper- sity, a leading UNESCO e-learning experts from the Universities of tise and experience they built over the past few years. Center in the Middle East, the Baghdad, Basra and Salahaddin The meeting allowed Iraqi participants to become better meeting focused on enhancing were gathered to launch the three acquainted with the experiences of the Middle East Tech- the quality of education through main e-learning centers. Key com- nical University in Turkey and from the University of Ham- the improvement of online course puter department o$cers from burg in Germany, seeing the great opportunities o#ered production and virtual teaching six other Iraqi universities, , by e-learning to improve learning as a whole and develop processes while building consoli- , Muthana, Al-Anbar, Wasit lifelong learning processes. dated partnerships among Iraqi and Sulaimaniyah, also attended and international universities. the event in the hopes of expand- For more information, please contact: Ms. Semia Saadaoui, Higher ing the network to encompass Education Project Manager, UNESCO Iraq-O$ce: s.saadaoui@unes- Iraqi teams composed of manag- nine further centres by the end of co.org Or +962 775454702

Refugees Refugees in Iraq camp to gain more services, rights after registration

By Helene Caux, UNHCR Iraq ore than 10,000 Turkish refugees have been registered in Makhmour camp, in northern Iraq, in the latest phase Mof a nationwide exercise to give refugees residency doc- uments and access to services. The UN refugee agency and the Iraqi government have entered the "nal phase of registering refugees in Iraq with the recent completion of registration in Makhmour. The nationwide regis- tration of refugees in Iraq was initiated by the government in 2008 and seeks to give the refugees a wider range of rights and services, including access to education and health care, and the right to work and travel. Those registered to date include Palestinian refugees in Bagh- dad and Mosul, as well as Syrian refugees in Mosul. The latest phase of the exercise was completed in Makhmour camp on 19 June, registering a total of 10,240 Turkish refugees who received

residency documents for the "rst time. “It is quite an achieve- A Turkish refugee woman and her children take part in the new registration in Makhmour camp. The ment,” said Tarik Kurdi, UNHCR Deputy Representative for the camp hosts 10,240 Turkish refugees. Most arrived in Iraq in 1994 following armed con%ict in southeast Iraq operation. “This registration is about building con"dence Turkey. The Government of Iraq, assisted by UNHCR, started a new registration of all refugees in the camp on 31 October 2010, which was completed on 19 June 2011. Photo: Helen Caux/UNHCR Iraq internationally in the civilian nature of the camp.”

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 5 Refugees

Makhmour’s inhabitants %ed Turkey into Highlighting the importance of the ex- Those registered will also have the right to Iraq in 1994. They "rst stayed in Atroush ercise, UNHCR’s Kurdi said, “The registra- own land, property, vehicles and business- camp near the Turkish border, then split tion is a crucial step for refugees who will es. They can receive a public distribution into two groups in 1997. Between 4,000 strengthen their refugee status by receiv- system card from the government, which and 5,000 refugees moved to local settle- ing a refugee residence card entitling them will entitle them to receive food rations as ments in the governorate of Dahuk and Er- to several bene"ts, including traveling all Iraqi citizens and residents do. bil. A larger group relocated to Makhmour throughout Iraq without any restriction.” UNHCR’s work in the camp includes moni- camp, which today looks like a small town The card is initially valid for one year and toring the general situation and providing with mud-brick houses and several shops thereafter renewable for "ve years. With it, cash assistance on a case-by-case basis selling food. refugees can be issued a travel document to the most vulnerable refugees, such as The recent registration was undertaken by allowing them to travel, for instance for stu- those with chronic illnesses. The agency Iraq’s Ministry of Interior Permanent Com- dents who want to study abroad. The refu- also provides transport fees for young mittee for Refugee A#airs with help from gees will also have access to Iraqi courts refugees studying in Erbil and Dahuk, and UNHCR. “In Makhmour, UNHCR has been to register marriages, the right to medical conducts protection and social activities assisting in the organization of the whole services and education provided by the for women and youth through two imple- registration process, including training government, and the right to work. menting partners. ministry sta# in the collecting of data, and Some 2,000 refugees from the camp al- Following Makhmour camp, UNHCR and providing the appropriate technical equip- ready work in companies or as daily la- the Government of Iraq will soon start ment,” said Iraj Imomberdiev, UNHCR’s act- bourers in the nearby town of Makhmour a new registration of refugees in Barika ing head in Erbil. A UNHCR team of four to or even in Erbil, 90 minutes away by road. camp, home to an estimated 1,929 refu- six persons – including information tech- With the recent registration, they may be gees from . nology o$cers – were present during the able to access government posts, an op- For more information on UNHCR Iraq, please entire registration which lasted several portunity university graduates have re- contact Helene Caux, Senior External Relations months in the camp. quested for several years. O$cer: [email protected]

World Refugee Day UNHCR celebrates World Refugee Day

By Helen Caux, UNHCR Iraq In Baghdad, UNHCR and Islamic Relief had organized drawing activities and a magic show for 120 Palestinian refugee children, and initiated poetry, music, dancing, drama and sport activities in Al-Waleed. In Erbil, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) took part in painting, handi- crafts, photography, music, and street theatre activities. In Suleymania, a photo exhibition showing the daily lives of those in Barika and Shewaran settlements was in- augurated by Iraq’s First Lady, Ms. Hero Ibra- him Ahmed Talabani. The Day was marked in collaboration with the O$ce of the Erbil Governor, NGO partners and the UNHCR

Palestinian refugee women look through a hole in a tent in Al Waleed camp. The camp, located along Iraq’s border with Syria, Protection Assistance Center. now hosts 540 Palestinians. UNHCR relocated some 1,200 Palestinian refugees from Al Waleed camp to various resettlement UNHCR’s 2010 Global Trends report, issued countries. Of the estimated 34,000 Palestinians in Iraq in 2003, less than 10,000 remain in the country at present. The camp also hosts 173 Iranian Kurds and 101 Iranian Ahwazis. Photo: Helen Caux / UNHCR Iraq on World Refugee Day, reveals that Iraqis were among the top 10 nationalities of ref- ugees at both the start and end of the de- orld Refugee Day was celebrated the fear of persecution. cade. It also notes that 43.7 million people on 20 June to pay tribute to the In Iraq, the O$ce of the United Nations are now displaced worldwide, as opposed millions of refugees and displaced W High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to 2.1 million Europeans who had been up- people throughout the world who have and partners hosted several activities to rooted by the second World War who were been forced to %ee their homes because of mark World Refugee Day. under UNHCR’s care.

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 6 The report notes that out the Iraqi authorities to bet- UN in Iraq Report of the 43.7 million indi- ter document the situation viduals, 15.4 million are of stateless people—main- refugees (10.55 million un- ly Faili Kurds and Bidoons, Who Does What Where Report der UNHCR’s care and 4.82 with an estimated "gure of By Tara Abdulmajid, UNAMI-Information and Analysis Unit million registered with the 120,000 persons. UN Relief and Works Agen- “One refugee without cy for Palestine Refugees), hope is too many,” said 27.5 million are displaced United Nations High Com- internally by con%ict, and missioner for Refugees nearly 850,000 are asylum- António Guterres on 20 seekers. June 2011. “The world is In Iraq, UNHCR is taking failing these people, leav- care of some 40,000 refu- ing them to wait out the gees, including Palestin- instability back home and ians, Iranians, Syrians and placing their lives on hold Turks who remain either in inde"nitely. Developing camps or settlements, or countries cannot continue live in urban areas. to bear this burden alone UNHCR is also working and the industrialized closely with the Govern- world must address this he Inter-Agency Information and Analysis Unit in cooperation with ment of Iraq to assist the imbalance. We need to see the UN Country Team has published the Who Does What Where 1.3 million IDPs in the increased resettlement T(3W) Report . Illustrated with maps and graphs, it covers all current country, including 467,000 quotas. We need accelerat- UN agency activities in Iraq, providing an analysis of the UN’s 224 active people who live in dire ed peace initiatives in long- projects and funding, as well as the sectors and governorates in which conditions in 382 settle- standing con%icts so that they work. refugees can go home.” ments or public buildings The 3W is a database of what UN agencies, NGOs, and other organiza- throughout Iraq. For more information, please tions are doing in Iraq and where they are doing it. Information on which Among that group of most contact Helene Caux; Senior organizations (Who) are carrying out what activities (What) in which lo- vulnerable IDPs, 148,000 External Relations O$cer for cations (Where) helps coordinate e#orts to respond to the needs of Iraq’s live in 121 settlements in UNHCR Iraq operation: caux@ most vulnerable by identifying gaps and avoiding duplication of activi- Baghdad. In addition, UN- unhcr.org ties. Since the implementation of the database in February 2008, infor- HCR is collaborating with mation has been provided on over 1,200 projects in Iraq. For more information please contact Tara Abdulmajid, [email protected], +962- 77-725-1501 UN in Iraq Report Iraqi doctors, IOM partner to provide assistance

By Courtney Webster, IOM Iraq

tilizing its network of external part- ners, the International Organization Ufor Migration (IOM) has successfully referred children in need of urgent medical attention to local doctors committed to the humanitarian cause within Iraq. IOM Iraq’s ongoing Medical Referral Initia- tive has proved immensely successful in 2011, and continues to grow and expand throughout the country. As a result of these external referrals, six bene"ciaries in Iraq have been provided with vital medical con- sultations, assistance, and surgeries. Many more referral cases are currently underway, IOM sta# remained at Mahmood’s side throughout the medical referral initiative. Photo: Matt Graydon/IOM Iraq as IOM has begun conducting nearly one

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 7 UN in Iraq Report

external referral each week. of the most severe hernias he had ever seen to Iraqis in need, and truly embody the hu- One such example was Mahmood, a bright, in a child of that age. "Left untreated, her- manitarian spirit that is so commonly seen inquisitive boy who was su#ering from a nias get progressively worse, and there's no throughout the country, yet often goes un- severe hernia. In May 2011, IOM sta# con- telling when the condition could suddenly recognized. ducting an assessment of a village in the become life-threatening," said Dr. Dosky. As a member of the UN Country Team of Ninewa met with the The procedure went smoothly and IOM will (UNCT) for Iraq, IOM Iraq works closely with family and after gathering further details on continue to follow up on his progress. the United Nations system and the Iraqi Mahmood's case, the Organization contact- Of course, these medical referrals would authorities in support of the Iraqi National ed Dr. Qadir Dosky at the Dahuk Paediatric not be possible without the hard work of Development Plan 2010 - 2014, and is inte- Teaching Hospital. IOM "eld sta# and the generosity of the grated into all sector outcome teams of the Dr. Dosky generously agreed to donate the many dedicated doctors throughout Iraq. UNCT Coordination Structure. time and resources necessary to treat Mah- These doctors are eager and willing to o#er For more information on IOM Iraq, please contact mood. He described the boy’s case as one their services and facilities, free of charge, Bertram Chambers: [email protected]

Feature Proud owner of sweets shop and landmine survivor

By Kai Peter Stabell, UNDP Iraq

the eldest. The Diana Ortho-Prosthetic, Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center (DPLC) in Soran District, with funding from the Aus- tralian Government Overseas Aid Program (AusAID) through the UN Development Pro- gramme, was able to assist Amin by provid- ing him with prostheses and helping him establish a small income generation project as part of the socio-economic rehabilita- tion and reintegration assistance o#ered to mine victims. Amin is now one of the over 4,000 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) who received physi- cal rehabilitation and became independent in their daily lives, through the provision of more than 3,880 ortho-prosthetic devises and over 3,190 mobility aids since 2009. Amin Hassan Sulaiman, a proud owner of sweets shop and landmine survivor. Photo: UNDP Iraq In addition to DPLC, UNDP supports three other national non-governmental organiza- tions that provide victim assistance in the n the spring of 2001, Amin Hassan Sulai- to make ends meet. Amin’s outlooks were three Governorates of Kurdistan Region man threw rocks at what he describes as bleak. He no longer attended school, and through funding provided by AusAID. Ia ‘strange object with several small sticks even after recovering from his injuries he Amin is now the proud owner of a ‘Sweets on top’ that he had found while grazing his became uncomfortable and shy around Shop’ and with the income generated in the animals in the Bekma village. This turned other people, including his friends. "rst year, Amin was able to buy a TV and a out to be one of the explosive remnants of During this time, his father provided both satellite receiver for his small shop to im- war (ERW) littering the Iraqi landscape. It ex- for the family as a shepherd, and also acted prove business. ploded, and Amin lost his right leg, left arm, as Amin’s main caretaker. This all ended “I feel that I am not a useless person and left eye and three "ngers on his right hand. abruptly when Amin’s father lost his life in He was ten years old. a burden to my family anymore. I am now a landmine accident two years after his son almost the only source of income for the Beyond the physical and emotional scars had been injured. Things were going from family. I am really happy for that. I am also in%icted upon Amin as a result of the hor- bad to worse. Amin’s mother was now left not shy to see my friends anymore, on the ri"c accident, further economic strains alone with three daughters in primary- contrary, I am encouraging them to visit my were placed on a family already struggling school, and two young boys – Amin being

www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 8 Feature shop and I even have more friends than be- frequenting and spending time in his shop. For more information, please contact: fore. They do not laugh or make comments “My only dream for now is to expand my Kai Peter Stabell, Programme Specialist - Mine Ac- at me anymore”, said Amin. shop and hopefully my income to provide tion, UNDP Iraq: [email protected] It was a smart move from his side as it en- su$cient "nancial support for my family, Areej Al-musttaf, UNDP Iraq: Areej.Al-musttaf@ couraged the children in the area to go to and see my sisters and brother "nish school,” undp.org the shop and watch cartoons or football said Amin. games together. This led to more customers

News Briefs

Parliamentarians meet evidence. It also gives the new prevalence ning and Ministry of Water Resources, the estimates since the 1970s and highlights a meeting acknowledged the central role of within context of Standing number of approaches and recommenda- the agricultural sector in achieving eco- Consultative Mechanism tions to enable people with disabilities to nomic diversi"cation, employment genera- access services, infrastructure, information tion and prosperity in Iraq. It also discussed Under the auspices of UNAMI and within the and jobs. a roadmap for developing an evidence- context of the Standing Consultative Mecha- based National Agricultural Policy National Currently, the government is expanding nism, the Special Representative of the UN Agricultural Investment Strategy and prior- the community-based rehabilitation ser- Secretary-General, Mr. Ad Melkert, hosted ity programs. a meeting on 16 June for Kirkuk's Kurdish, vices which will relieve the strain on the Arab, Turkoman and Christian members of estimated 123 disability and rehabilitation The key objective of the programme is to the Council of Representatives to discuss centres in Iraq. remove the binding constraints to growth at the policy, institutional and agrarian sys- ways forward on issues related to Kirkuk WHO Iraq is supporting the Ministry of tems level by strengthening public invest- including Provincial Council elections and Health to strengthen and improve its dis- ment and providing greater space for the power sharing. ability registration system, to ensure health private sector. The meeting builds on previous e#orts of systems are more inclusive and responsive UNAMI to bring together the various com- to this population. The data will be used Participants agreed that the successful ponents of Kirkuk towards addressing out- to show the magnitude of the disability implementation of the initiative will rest standing issues in an open dialogue, with burden in Iraq. This, in turn, will be instru- on e#ective engagement with the broader the objective of reaching a mutually agree- mental in developing future strategies and Government of Iraq and the adequate de- able agreement. plans aimed at improving access to services lineation of responsibilities. for those with disabilities. The talks were attended by 12 parliamen- tarians who agreed to continue discussions Roadmap to agricultural UNAMI Newsletter is published and to work together. growth and employment monthly by the UNAMI Public Informa- tion O$ce. Contents do not necessarily First WHO-World Bank generation in Iraq re%ect the o$cial position of the United global report on disability Representatives of the Government of Nations or that of UNAMI. Articles may be freely reproduced, with credit to Iraq and the United Nations Food and Ag- The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAMI Newsletter. For comments and riculture Organization (FAO) held the "rst the Kurdistan Regional Government Minis- suggestions, contact try of Health launched the Global Report on ministerial meeting of the Iraq Agricultural [email protected] Disability on 21 June, in Erbil, located in the Growth and Employment Generation Sup- Editor-in-Chief: Radhia Achouri Kurdistan region of Iraq. port program in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21-22 Managing Editor: Aicha Elbasri June 2011. Editor: Christopher Cycmanick The "rst ever WHO-World Bank global re- Attended by senior o$cials from the Minis- Photo Editor: Bikem Ekberzade port on disability provides a global assess- Graphic Designer: Salar A. Brifkani ment on the issue using the latest scienti"c try of Agriculture and the Ministry of Plan-

List of UN Acronyms There are 16 UN organisations, programmes, agencies and funds working in Iraq. They are the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Inter- national Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Educational, Scienti"c and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), O$ce of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UN O$ce for the Coordination of Humanitarian A#airs (UN OCHA), UN O$ce for Project Services (UNOPS), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO). www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 9 Photo Essay In search of a shelter in Erbil According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), a total of 9,704 internally displaced families (53,372 individuals) take shelter in Erbil, a city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, from the violence that still ensues in other parts of the country. The majority of these displaced are Kurdish families who %ed violence in Mosul and Baghdad, followed by Arab families from the center and south of the country. Christian families from Baghdad, Mosul and to a smaller extent from Kirkuk, also take refuge in Erbil. As central Erbil is expensive, most of these displaced families live in the sub-districts and villages surrounding the city. UNHCR through its local implementing partner, Public Aid Organization, is providing funds for food and non-food items, as well as legal protection and counseling through its Erbil Protection Assistance Center. Photographs by Bikem Ekberzade, UNAMI PIO

Ahmed Enad Awad heads a family of seven. An Arab, Awad says he %ed with his family from Bagh- Displaced within his country, Awad has been unemployed for some time. The house they man- dad to Erbil last month in search of safety from the sporadic attacks that still plague the capital. aged to "nd is basic. Having left Baghdad with whatever they could take with them, the family also lacks basic materials.

Awad’s family will soon be registered as IDPs and receive food and non-food items through UNHCR and its implementing partner, Public Aid Organization. With schools opening in the fall, registering the children will be a challenge as many displaced families lack the necessary civil documentation, such as identity cards.

Ahmed Fazil Nassar and his family have been displaced since 2006. Following the Samara mosque bomb- ing and the violence that followed, Nassar brought his family to Erbil in search of relative security.

The head of a family of "ve, Nassar shares the house they temporarily made their shelter with his brother’s Disabilities do not phase the children. Sara and her cousin have developed family. His nephew, Sara Sa’ed Fazil, is hearing impaired. However, there is hope she may hear again if she a special language between themselves. undergoes a surgery. www.uniraq.org UNAMI Newsletter 10